Bid For Reduced Bail Backfires For Bethlehem Heroin Suspect

July 24, 1986|The Morning Call

A bid to get his bail reduced backfired yesterday for one of the defendants arrested earlier this month in a Bethlehem roundup of suspected drug traffickers.

Alex E. Sherman, who gave police addresses at 1328 Hilton St., in Bethlehem's Marvine-Pembroke Village, and at 509 Pawnee St., on Bethlehem's South Side, appeared before Northampton County Judge Richard D. Grifo. Sherman was represented by Assistant Public Defender Richard Jacobs.

Sherman has been lodged in county prison since he was arrested July 7 by Bethlehem police, who charged him with possession, possession with intent to deliver and delivery of heroin, as well as conspiracy. Police said he sold two packets of heroin on April 10 at his Hilton Street address. His bail was set at $10,000 by District Justice Elizabeth Romig of Bethlehem, who said he could be freed by posting 10 percent of that amount.

Sherman, who said he's originally from Philadelphia, outlined his various addresses and told the judge that if his bail were reduced and he were freed, he would live with a friend at an address in Easton. He also reviewed for the judge a string of jobs he said he'd held.

Jacobs told the judge that he believed, "It would help the county out a little by getting him back out on the street," apparently referring to the crowded conditions at the county jail.

Grifo disagreed. "It would be no help to the county to have him on the street," he said. "He probably wouldn't show up" for court appearances.

Instead of reducing Sherman's bail, Grifo revoked the original 10 percent provision and said Sherman would have to post the full $10,000 if he wants to get out.

Grifo continued bail at $5,000, with 10 percent applicable, for Allen Scott Rabenold, 21, of 113 1/2 N. 5th St., Allentown. Rabenold was charged by Lehigh Township police with a May 24 break-in and theft of items valued at $2,274 from a home in the 4600 block of Steven Lane.

The judge gave a Bethlehem man charged with burglarizing his neighbor's home the option of posting 10 percent of $10,000 bail to get out of county prison.

Andrew J. Sabella, 28, of 907 N. New St., was charged in connection with a June 19 burglary at 906 N. New St. His bail had been set at $10,000 cash.